Transcript
Index
00:00:13 - Neal Harris comes to Beloit from Tuskegee, recruited by J.D. Stephenson--opportunity at Fairbanks-Morse--May 8 as Emancipation holiday in Mississippi--freeing of slaves
00:10:33 - Work opportunity at Fairbanks-Morse--transportation to Beloit--the role of J.D. Stephenson--originally came as a summer employee--absence of any opportunity in the South--further comments on J.D. Stephenson and jobs with Fairbanks-Morse
00:19:43 - Other workers who came from Tuskegee at that time--they eventually left Beloit--World War I veterans returned to reclaim jobs, caused black unemployment--work in Birmingham
00:27:34 - Neal Harris' trip from Tuskegee to Beloit--segregated car to Evansville, Indiana--thoughts on the train
00:32:31 - Neal Harris' first impressions of Beloit--comparison to Mississippi--segregation in Beloit, but no fear--first residence in Beloit
00:40:08 - The importance of J.D. Stephenson--limitations of his work
00:43:07 - Neal Harris' early years as a Fairbanks-Morse worker--no opportunity to advance to a trade--inequalities at Fairbanks-Morse
00:50:00 - Segregation in the YMCA--segregated Hi-Y clubs
00:51:50 - Difficulties in organizing against discrimination in Beloit--soliciting from blacks for segregated institutions--efforts of local NAACP to desegregate civic activities--Johnny Watts
01:01:35 - Blacks had to excel to be recognized
01:02:12 - Neal Harris recalls the organization of the Steelworkers local at Fairbanks-Morse--CIO policy of non-discrimination--company efforts to prevent organization--overcoming racial antagonism in organizing the union
01:12:49 - Neal Harris' service as union shop steward--dealing with grievances
01:22:01 - Threat of jail during World War II for pushing grievances--closed shop--union forced uncooperative workers out
01:28:10 - Neal Harris' method for getting workers to join the union--What were the most persuasive arguments.
01:30:53 - Leaders of the union--grievances
